A strange bra, found in a husbands pocket was the center of a dispute in a matrimonial case before a local court.

The bra, he told the court, disappeared mysteriously and could not offer any cogent reason why it was found in his pocket.

The 55-year-old man further caused laughter in the Lusaka local court when he said that he feels lazy to talk with his wife when sober and that he could not even play music.

Crispin Zulu of John Laing compound was testifying in a case in which his wife, Gertrude Banda, 45, sued him for reconciliation.

The two got married in 1988 and they have five children. Dowry was paid.

Banda told Senior Court Magistrate Daniel Phiri sitting with Magistrates Ackim Phiri and Sarah Nyendwa at Kanyama Local Court that all was well until in 2001 when they had their fifth child.

She explained that Zulu developed a habit of drinking beer excessively and that at one time she found a bra in her husband’s pocket. Banda further said Zulu was fond of insulting her and that he refuses to work because he allegedly did not want to provide for her and the children.

In cross-examination about the bra’s whereabouts, Banda said the garment disappeared mysteriously. Asked by the court if as a family they had sat to resolve the misunderstandings, Banda responded in the affirmative and that Zulu was found in the wrong.

In defense, Zulu said problems in his marriage started on January 6, 2016 when Banda came back from Zimbabwe.

He said Banda shifted from the matrimonial bedroom and started sleeping with children in the other bedroom.

Zulu explained that he loved Banda very much and that his problems arose from beer drinking.

Asked by Banda why he doesn’t talk to her when he is sober, Zulu said that he felt lazy to talk to his wife and this applied playing music. Zulu knelt down before Banda when the court asked him to do so and promised thus; “from today I have stopped drinking beer excessively and you should come back to the bedroom”.

The two reconciled after Banda forgave Zulu and they hugged in court.

But in submission, Banda advised Zulu to start bathing because she felt embarrassed in the community when residents talked about him She explained that she shifted from the bedroom because Zulu accused her of sleeping with her son. Zulu thanked Banda for forgiving him and promised that he would look for a job.

Local court magistrate Daniel Phiri reconciled the couple and advised Banda to go back to the bedroom and that Zulu should stop drinking beer excessively and insulting.